Gen Z rank Love Island top cultural moment for summer 2025
A new survey has found that Love Island is officially the UK's biggest summer cultural event for Brits aged 18-28, ranking higher in national buzz and recognition than Wimbledon (44%), Glastonbury (37%), and even the hotly anticipated Oasis reunion tour (23%).
The annual reality show also ranked higher than the Women's Euros (33%), where the Lionesses dramatically defended their title on penalties in Switzerland in front of a gripped 15m-plus audience back home.
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone (25%), Royal Ascot (18%), BBC Proms (16%), Edinburgh Fringe (12%) and Chelsea Flower Show (11%) make up the rest of the list.
Gen Z's Top 10 British cultural moments of summer 2025
Love Island, 44%
Wimbledon, 43%
Glastonbury Festival, 37%
Women's Euros, 33%
British Grand Prix at Silverstone, 25%
Oasis reunion tour, 23%
Royal Ascot, 18%
The BBC Proms, 16%
Edinburgh Fringe, 12%
Chelsea Flower Show, 11%
Love Island – known for its sun-soaked villa antics, fiery recouplings and meme-worthy moments – has cemented its place in the national psyche as the event of the summer season.
And not content with dominating screens, the guilty pleasure turned cultural juggernaut has also broken into the realm of cultural artefacts. The show's iconic personalised water bottle – seen in the hands of Islanders during every heated conversation and poolside flirtation – was named one of the top 10 symbols of modern British culture.
In a list that included both serious and tongue-in-cheek contenders, the Love Island bottle rubs shoulders with the likes of the Greggs sausage roll, a Freddo, Colin the Caterpillar, and even the almighty Wetherspoons toilets.
A testament to the show's impact, the Love Island water bottle (24%) is considered more of a 'British cultural artefact' by Gen Z than classics such as the Blue Peter badge (23%) and even Doctor Who's Tardis (19%).
Both a hydration hero and certified cultural icon, the popular piece of Love Island merchandise has long since transcended the villa to become a must-have summer accessory.
Spotted in the hands of Kimberly Wyatt at Wembley Stadium yesterday for the Oasis concert, the ex-Pussycat Doll and radio presenter arrived in style with the new Love Island bottle in tow – personalised with her name and newly released accessories.
Taking its place in this season's cultural hall of fame alongside the likes of Oasis, Glasto, and Wimbledon, Love Island's enduring popularity has made it one of the most talked-about moments of the summer – with a quarter of the nation (25%) planning on tuning into the final next week.
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